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`0d. 1s, 1932.l E, P, KIN'NE I R. 18,6314

COUPLER MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. '7. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l @www vdmundfnne.

Oct. 18, 1932. E. P. KINNE Re 18,631

COUPLER MECHANISM original Filed oct. 7, 192e 2 sheets-sheet 2 @@/M Wm J M7 @W Reissuecl I,Oct 18, 1932 v Re; 18,631A

EDMUND P.- KINNE, 0F ALLIANCE,

OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN STEEL roUNDRIEs,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY COUPLER MEGHANISM Original No. 1,639,301, dated `August 16, 1927, Serial No. 139,964, filed October 7, 1926. Application for reissue filed April 25, 1929. Serial No. 358,129.

This invention pertains to coupler mechanism in which an embodiment is illustrated as being in the form of an uncoupling. rod for a coupler operable at a point remote from the coupler.

In Patent No. 1,639,300, granted August 16, 1927,- there is disclosed and claimed improved means for operating a coupler lock from lock position to lock set position and to full knuckle throw position, and this invention relates to the same general subject-matter.

An object of the invention is to improve the operation of couplers, and more particularly standard A. R. A. couplers, in a manner whereby a coupler can always be operated positively and freely to full' lock set or full knuckle throw positions through the medium of the uncoupling rod.

Another object is to provide simple, reliable and efficient coupler operating mechanism provided with cooperating parts having a tendency to prevent any swinging movement of the operating rod handle or rotation of the operating rod which would release the coupler anti-creep and which functions in an improved manner to accomplish the best results under service conditions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide coupler operating mechanism which will fulfill all requirements of service and manufacture and in which the operating` handle will always seek a position such that y there will be no tendency to disrupt the parts nor to have any interference with the relative movement of the coupled cars or cooperating parts.

A further object is to provide a coupler uncoupling mechanism which may be applied to existing as well as especially adapted couplers and which will effect a great saving in the number of parts now in use. For instance, the mechanism disclosed in the prescnt invention will serve to eliminate the use of slack devices between the operating" rod and the coupler lifter.

Still furtherobject is to provide uncoupling mechanism whereby the full knuckle throw position may be obtained by a minimum turning operation of the uncoupling rod.

Yet further object is to provide coupler mechanism embodying an uncoupling rod Operable at a point remote from the coupler, 5" the uncoupling rod being provided with supporting means permitting relative movement between the uncoupling .rod and the supporting means whereby relative operating relation between the rod and the lock is substantially unchanged upon movement of the couplerv when the coupler is in locked position, and wherein the uncoupling rod is normally held by an abutment upon the car in such a position that the weight of the uncoupling rod is unbalanced with respect to a vertical plane passing through its axis of rotation whereby the unbalanced condition resists swinging movement ofthe rod in a direction for release of the coupler anti-creep.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and par-' ticu'larly fpointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like partsi Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation through a standard A. R. A. bottom lift type of coupler, the lock being shown Y in locked position; Y

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of 85 vthe invention, showing the same as applied to the end of a railway car;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the lcou 1er mechanismarrangement*illustrated in F igure 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the coupler and uncoupling rod embodying lthe coupler mechanism arrangement illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to the figures of the drawings, it will be noted that the invention is illustrated in connection with a standard A. R. A. type of coupler having a head 10 to which a knuckle 11 is pivoted by a pin 12. As shown more particularly in Figure 1, the'knuckle 11 is held in closed position by a lock 13, in

which position a rear shoulder 14 of the lock' rests upon the knuckle opener 15. The lock 13 has a depending leg 16, the lower end of which is provided with an inclined slot 17 adapted to slidably receive a transverse finger 18 of a lifter link 19, the other end of which has a transverse finger 2O received within the outer eye portion 21 of alifter arm 22. The

-anti-creep member 28 which may be in the 'form of a ledge adjacent the hole 27 having cooperative relation with an anti-creep member in the form of a shoulder 119 formed o'ntheY lifter link 19. From the arrangement thus far described, it will be appreciated that if the rotor is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, the finger 18, which is normally in thev lower part of the slot 17,- will be moved into the upper end of t-he slot 17 for releasing any engagementbetween the anti-creep members 119 and128, whereupon the lock 13 willl be raised from the locked position shown in Figure 1 to lock set position. Upon further rotation of the rotor 25 inthe same direction, the lock 13 will be moved into full knuckle throw position, all as fully described in Patent No. 1,639,300.

One end of the rotor 25 is provided with.

an eye 29 which receives a hook 30 disposed on the inner end of an operating orru'ncoupling rod 31. The outer end of the unconpling rod is slidably supported in a bearing formed between two guide lugs 32 provided on the inner end of a bracket 33 secured to the car end structure 34. near the outer end of the latter. The outer end of the uncoupling rod 31 terminates in a handle 35 preferably hav- Ving a portion 36 offset away from the car,

as shown in Figure 4,'whereby weight is provided tendingnormally to rotate the unconpllng rod in a counterclockwise direction, as

`viewed in Figure 1, or in other words, in a dlrectlonv towards the bracket where, 1n conjunction with the bracket, there is a tendency to'vprevent oscillation whereby a release of the anti-creep members 119 and 28 is prevented. o

The uncoupling rod 31 is supported by the bracket and preferably is loosely mounted between Vthe guide lugs 32 for permitting cenc tering of the coupler 10, that is, permitting relative movement between the luncoupling rod and the bracket. The uncoupling rod extends at an angle to the horizontal transverse center of the coupler and preferably extends in a straight line inwardly and forwardly, as shown from the guide lugs 32 of the bracket 33 to the e`ye 29 of the rotor 25. In this way the uncoupling rod is shorter and lighter than those heretofore used. By disposition of the uncouplingrod in a manner analogous to that described, the lnecessity of supporting thev operating rod at its inner end by -an additional bracket secured to the car end structure or to the coupler is eliminated.

The guide lugs 32 of the bracket preferably extend in the same general angular direction Y as the uncoupling rod 31,'as does the front guide edge of the `outwardly extending flangeor cam 37 of the bracketl 33. The upper part of the handle 35 normally engages the guide ange 37 in coupler lock position, and the outer part of the uncoupling rod 31 engages the g'uideway formed by the guide lugs. Any locking means, such as a retaining pin 38 extending between the guide lugs 32, locks the uncoupling rod in position.

With this arrangement, even though there may be relative movement between the hook 30 and the eye 29, the guide iiange 37 prevents the handle 38, due to inertia as in the case of swinging movement caused by the cars in a train, releasing the coupler anti-creep, and the unbalanced-condition of the operating ro also tends to prevent the release of the coupler anti-creep. The guide flange 37 normally co- -operateswith the handle 36 in coupler lock position whereby the relative operating rela.

tion between the rod and the lock is substanthe coupler. By means of this arrangement, it is asimple matter to operate the lock 13 from the' side of the car by merely rotating Ythe handle 36 of the uncoupling rod upwardly in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 4, and the weight of the parts isfsuch that there is a normal tendency to return the parts toward coupler lock position.

l,It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various andl handle cooperating with said inclined guide flange', said operating rod extending yfromV said bracket in a straight line to said rotary member for rotating the latter for operating tially unchanged upon lateral movement of Vl Y.

portion and having 21 A the coupler lock, said interengagingportions of the operating r'od and its handle with said inclined portions facilitating centering movements ofy said coupler.

2. In a railway car, an operating means for use with a coupler mounted upon the car so asv ber, said rod comprising a depending operating handle at its outer end, and an abutment upon said car positioned to holdsaid rod in normal position such that the handle serves to provide a weighted portion out of line with the axis of revolution of the rod to produce an unbalanced condition tending to urge said handle in a direction towards said abutment whereby to resist swinging movement of said handle in a direction for release of the coupler.

3. In a railway car, an operating means for use with a ncoupler mounted upon the car so as to move longitudinally and laterallythereof in service and having a. member mounted upon the coupler to move therewith and arranged to operate the coupler upon rotation thereof; comprising, an uncoupling rod rotatably supported at its outer -end upon the car and extending substantially in a vertical plane at an angle with respect to said car for operative connection at its inner end with s aid member, saidrod comprising a depending' operating handle at its outer end, said rod having an offset portion wherebythe center of gravity of said rod is offset with, respect to the axis of rotation thereof, and an abutment upon said car positioned to hold said coupling rod in normal position such that the weight of the'rod acting at the center of gravity is unbalanced with respect to a vertical plane passing through its axis of rotation and said unbalanced condition tends to urge said handle in a directionv for rotation towards said abutment whereby to resist swinging movement-of said handle in a direction for release of said coupler.

4. In a railway car, an operating means for use with a coupler mounted upon the car so as to move longitudinally and laterally thereof in service andhaving a member mounted upon the coupler to move therewith and arranged to operate the coupler upon rotation thereof; comprising, an uncoupling rod rotatably supported at its outer end upon the car and extending substantially in a vertical plane at an angle with respect to said car for operative connection at itsr inner end with said member, said rod comprisinga depending operating handle at its outer end and an inclined abutment upon said car positioned to engage said handle in normal position for guiding when in normal position having its center of gravity offsetwith respect to a vertical plane passing through itsaxis of rotation whereby to produce-'an unbalanced condition of said handle ,tending to urge said handle in a direction for rotation towards said abutment whereby to resist swinging of said handle in a direction for release of the coupler.

`5. In a railway car, an 'operating' means for use with a coupler mounted upon the car so as to move longitudinally and laterally thereof in service and having a member mounted upon the coupler to move therewith and arranged to operate the coupler upon rotation thereof; comprising, an uncoupling rod, means upon said car supporting the outer end of said rod for rotatable and endwise movement, said rod being connected` at its inner end directly abutment upon said car positioned to engage said rod for holding said rod in normal position and said rod having a portion offset from a vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation `of said rod, said offset portion in normal position of said rod serving to produce an unbalanced condition of said rod tending to rotate said rod in a direction to engage said abutment and in a direction to resist swinging movement thereof in a direc-K tion for release of said coupler.

6. In a railway car, an operating means for use with a bottom lift coupler having an anti-creep and mounted upon said car so as to move'longitudinally and laterally thereof 1n service and having a member mounted upon the coupler to move therewith and arranged to operate the coupler upon rotation thereof; comprising, an uncoupling rod rotatably supported at its outer end upon the car and operatively connected at its innerendv to said member,

movement of said handle in a direction for( release of the couplerv anti-creep.

7. In a railway car, an operating means for use with a bottom lift coupler having an anti-creep and mounted upon said car so as to move longitudinally and laterally thereof said rod comprising a de-y pending operating handle at its outer end and in service and having a member mounted L -upon the coupler to move therewith and arranged to operate the coupler upon rotation thereof; comprising, an uncoupling rod rotatably supported'at its outer end upon the car and extending substantially in' a ver-- tical plane at an angle with respect to said car for operative connection at its inner end with said member, said rod comprising a depending operating handle at its outer end and an inclined abutment upon said car positioned to engage said'rod 1n normal position for guiding the endwise movement of said rod during lateral movement of said coupler and said rod when 1n normal position havmg .its center of gravity oiset with respect to a vertical plane passing through its axis of rotation whereby to produce an unbalanced condition of said rod tending to urge said handle in a direction for rotation towards said i abutmentwhereby toresist swinging of said said car supporting the entera/end of said frod for rotatable and endwise movement, said rod being connected at its inner end directly to saidmember, an abutment upon said car positioned to engage said rod for holding 'said rod in normal position and said rod having a portion offset from a vertical plane pass ing through the axis of rotation of said rod,

said offset 'portion in normal position of said `rod serving to produce an unbalanced condi- -tion of said rod tending to rotate said rod in a direction to engage saidabutment' and in a A direction to resist swinging movement there- 'of in a direction for release of said coupler anti-creep.

l 9. In a railway car, the combination of la coupler provided with an anti-creep, an operable lock and a rotary member for transmitting operating movement to said lock, an

' endwise movable and rotatable operating rod operatively connected to said rotary member and providedl with a depending crank handle adj a-centY its outer' portion, and a bracket mounted upon thecar supporting the outer member, a bracket portion of the operating rod and provided f with an inclined guide portion cooperating with said handle for guiding the rod in its endwi'se movement and pler so, as to tend to prevent a swinging` movement of the operating rod handle lwhich would release the coupler anti-creep.

10. In a railway car, the combination of a coupler provided with a lockY and a rotary member secured to said car, and means for operating said lock, said means includin an operatingfrod supported in said brac et and extending to and directly ,connected withsa-id rotary member, said rod having a handle adjacent said bracket, and an abutment on said car so positioned holding the handle and rod against gravitation in an unbalanced condition in any service position of the cou,

to hold said rod in normal position such that said handle serves to provide a weighted portion out of line with the axis of rotation of the rod to produce an unbalanced condition tending to urge said handle in a direction toward said abutment whereby t'o resist swinging movement of said `handle in a. direction for release of the coupler.

11. In a railway car, the combination of a coupler provided with a lock and a rotary member, a bracket member secured to said car, means for operating said lock, said means including an operating rod supported for rotation and endwise movement in said bracket and extending to and directly connected with said rotary member, said rod having a handle provided with an offset portion adjacent said bracket tending to urge said rod toward said bracket, and an abutment on said car so positioned to holdv said rod in 'normal position such that lsaidlotset portion serves to provide a weighted portion out of line with the axis of rotation-of the rod to produce an unbalanced condition tending to lurge said handle in a direction .toward said abutment whereby to resist swinging movement of said handle in a direction for release of the coupler.

12. In a railway car having a bottom lift coupler provided with an anti-creep, the combination of an operable lock associated with said anti-creep, a rotary member for transmitting operating movements to said lock, an uncoupling rod mounted for rotation upon said car for operating said rotary member, said rod vcomprising" a depending L operating handle, and an abutment upon said car positioned to hold said rod in normal po-` sition spch that the handle serves to provide a weighted portion out of line with the axis of rotation of the rod to produce an unbalanced condition tending to urge said handle in a direction toward said abutment whereby to resist swinging of said handle in a direction for release of said coupler anti-creep.

Signedl at Alliance, Ohio, this 8th day of April, 1929. i

EDMUND P. KINNE'. 

